Youm-e-Istehsal Being Observed in Pakistan Today; President, PM Issue Special Messages

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have issued special messages on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal (Kashmir Exploitation Day), commemorated on August 5.

President’s Message

In his statement, the President of Pakistan said that today marks six years since India’s illegal and unilateral actions in Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, India revoked the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir.

He emphasized that the purpose of this move was to undermine the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, and that India has been attempting to render the Kashmiri population powerless in their own homeland.

Prime Minister’s Message

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Kashmir, strongly condemning India’s illegal actions of August 5, 2019.

He stated that these actions are a blatant violation of UN resolutions and international laws. The Indian move, he said, is a conspiracy to alter the demographic and political landscape of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He described Youm-e-Istehsal as a grim reminder of Indian brutality and its refusal to pursue peace. The denial of fundamental rights and identity to Kashmiris is a major factor contributing to regional instability, he added, stressing that India cannot maintain its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister said that India has doubled its state-sponsored terrorism and oppression over the past eight decades. Despite this, the Kashmiri people have shown extraordinary resilience in the face of Indian atrocities. Today is a day to pay tribute to their sacrifices and perseverance.

He further remarked that silencing genuine Kashmiri leadership is part of India’s hegemonic agenda. The imprisonment of leaders like Shabbir Shah, Yasin Malik, and Masarat Alam cannot break the Kashmiri spirit. The continued resistance by Kashmiris under Indian occupation is a testament to their remarkable courage.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir remains the central cause of conflict in South Asia. He referred to India’s unprovoked aggression in May 2025 and its defeat as further evidence of its malicious intent. He urged the international community to recognize the urgent need for a resolution to the Kashmir issue, stating that the only viable solution lies in the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.

He concluded by stating that a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He called on India to reverse its illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, repeal its draconian laws, and comply with UN resolutions. Pakistan will continue its moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people.

It is worth noting that Kashmiris across the globe are observing Youm-e-Istehsal today. On August 5, 2019, the Modi-led Indian government violated international law by revoking the special status of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

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